Latin Phrases Vocabulary

created or done for a particular purpose as necessary

“The committee formed an ad hoc solution to address the immediate crisis.”

an argument directed against a person rather than their position

“Instead of addressing the policy, he resorted to ad hominem attacks.”

endlessly; forever; without limit

“The meeting dragged on ad infinitum with no resolution in sight.”

to a sickening or excessive degree; repeatedly

“He repeated his accomplishments ad nauseam until everyone tuned out.”

genuine; real; made in good faith

“She received a bona fide offer from a reputable company.”

seize the day; make the most of the present moment

“His philosophy was carpe diem—live fully today.”

let the buyer beware; the buyer assumes the risk

“The used car market operates on caveat emptor principles.”

I think, therefore I am (Descartes' philosophical proposition)

“Cogito ergo sum became the foundation of modern philosophy.”

in fact; in reality; existing in practice

“Though not officially appointed, she was the de facto leader.”

by right; according to law; legally recognized

“He was the de jure owner, though his brother managed the property.”

an unexpected power or event that saves a seemingly hopeless situation

“The sudden inheritance was a deus ex machina that resolved all their financial problems.”

therefore; consequently

“The data is incomplete, ergo our conclusions may be flawed.”

and other similar things; and so forth

“Bring your books, pens, notebooks, et cetera.”

with retroactive effect or force; after the fact

“Ex post facto laws are prohibited by the Constitution.”

a legal order requiring a person to be brought before a court

“The lawyer filed for habeas corpus to challenge the detention.”

while not present; in one's absence

“He was convicted in absentia after fleeing the country.”

in the place of a parent; with parental authority

“Teachers act in loco parentis during school hours.”

in the middle of things; starting in the midst of action

“The novel begins in medias res, with the protagonist already in danger.”

in its original place; on site

“The archaeologists studied the artifacts in situ before removing them.”

in glass; in an artificial environment outside a living organism

“In vitro fertilization has helped many couples conceive.”

within a living organism

“The drug showed different results in vivo than in laboratory tests.”

by that very fact; as a direct consequence

“Signing the contract ipso facto made him liable for the debt.”

with great honor (academic distinction)

“She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.”

my fault; an acknowledgment of one's error

“The CEO issued a mea culpa for the company's failures.”

remember that you will die; a reminder of mortality

“The skull on his desk served as a memento mori.”

a method of operating or functioning; way of working

“The detective recognized the criminal's modus operandi.”

a conclusion that does not logically follow from the premise

“His argument was a non sequitur that confused everyone.”

for each person; per head

“The per capita income in the region has doubled.”

by itself; intrinsically; as such

“Money per se doesn't bring happiness.”

an unwelcome or unacceptable person

“After the scandal, he became persona non grata in political circles.”

an examination after death; analysis after an event

“The team conducted a post mortem on the failed project.”

at first sight; based on initial impression

“There was prima facie evidence of fraud.”

done without charge for the public good

“The lawyer took the case pro bono.”

something given in exchange for something else

“The deal was a quid pro quo—support for funding.”

the minimum number of members needed for valid proceedings

“We couldn't vote without a quorum present.”

an essential condition; something absolutely necessary

“Trust is the sine qua non of any relationship.”

the existing state of affairs

“The new policy threatens to disrupt the status quo.”

a blank slate; the mind before receiving impressions

“Locke believed we are born as tabula rasa.”

word for word; in exactly the same words

“She quoted his speech verbatim from memory.”

the other way around; with the order reversed

“She helps him and vice versa.”

among other things

“The report discussed, inter alia, the cost of living.”

proportional; strictly according to calculated share

“Fees are calculated on a pro rata basis.”